I saw a fella once walk a line of balls, continuously hitting Melhorne style, no stopping, while alternating Hitting and Swinging! Wish Id taped it to take a close look for a difference in release but I doubt there was much of one.
Im thinking that in the middle of the continuum they are separated by only the Throw employed. Of course in that drill you dont go much past Acquired so some of the characteristic differences at Top/End, #3 etc dont come into play.